Over the years, Marvel has ventured into an impressive array of gaming genres and styles. They’ve offered fans everything from sprawling open-world action adventures and strategic turn-based games with a mystical flavor, to cooperative live-service titles and immersive VR experiences. This has allowed them to reach a broad spectrum of players.
Reflecting on Marvel’s gaming portfolio from the last ten or twenty years, third-person action games with a Teen ESRB rating or below are clearly their dominant genre. These titles often introduce weighty themes and dramatic scenes, but overall, they maintain a lighthearted approach. This aligns seamlessly with Marvel’s brand identity, but occasionally, it’d be intriguing to see them delve into more mature and darker territories. Just imagine a horror game with a Marvel twist taking center stage next year.
Marvel Zombies Could Pave the Way for a New Type of Marvel Video Game
The Marvel Zombies comic series, which debuted back in November 2005 as part of the Ultimate Fantastic Four’s “Crossover” climax, might just be the source of some fresh inspiration. This storyline involves Reed Richards encountering an alternate universe version of himself, leading him to a world where zombified versions of Marvel’s heroes and villains roam. It laid the groundwork for the first Marvel Zombies series which kicked off soon after.
This limited series, running from December 2005 to April 2007, was penned by Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead, and brought to life by Sean Phillips’ illustrations. Set on the alternative Earth-2149, the narrative explores a universe where a virus turns heroes and villains into ravenous zombies. Unlike typical undead fiction, these ravenous beings retain their mental faculties and superpowers—raising questions about the lengths they’d go to satisfy their hunger.
Since its original run, Marvel Zombies has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, essentially becoming a staple in Marvel’s comic lineup. The latest addition, Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay, began in September and is expected to conclude this December.
The Upcoming Marvel Zombies Disney+ Series Could Lay The Groundwork for a Game
Fast forward to 2021, Marvel introduced the animated series What If…? on Disney+. One standout episode, What If…Zombies?, drew directly from the Marvel Zombies comic lore. Here, the cause of the pandemic is Janet van Dyne, who unintentionally brings back a virus from the Quantum Realm, altering the familiar narrative.
As Bruce Banner attempts to alert the world of Thanos’ imminent threat, he finds himself amidst zombie versions of well-known characters like Doctor Strange and Iron Man. The story then follows survivors—Wasp, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Panther, and Vision—in their quest to find a cure. In October 2025, a four-part continuation under the Marvel Zombies banner is set to premiere.
What a Marvel Zombies Video Game Could Look Like
This new Marvel Zombies series presents an exciting opportunity for Marvel to explore mature themes and embrace genres they’ve yet to fully engage with. Picture a Marvel Zombies game in the vein of Left 4 Dead, where players team up to tackle co-op missions as iconic heroes or villains in iconic Marvel settings.
Imagine battling through levels and occasionally coming face-to-face with zombified versions of beloved characters. This gameplay would allow fans to take on superheroes they normally never face, like Captain America or Spider-Man, and would sprinkle in a touch more gore than usual for a Marvel game.
Marvel’s expansive universe extends beyond comics to a rich tapestry of blockbuster movies, TV shows, and a wide array of merchandise. They hold the rights to beloved characters such as The Avengers, Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Deadpool, continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.
